Electric timing device



June 10, 1930. 1: a CHARLTON 1,762,811

ELECTRIC TIIING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 10. 1925 Inventor- I Ernest E. Charlton,

y MW His Attorney.

1 electrical measurin ploys the use of a g ow tube preferably asso- 3o predetermined time.

35 discharge 50 flashing can i Patented June 10, 1930 I [UNITED STATES; PATENTNOFFICE A ERNEST E. CHARLTON, OI SOHENNIADYINEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO ommm ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, A. CORPORATION 01' NEW YORK ELECTRIC TIMING DEVICE Application filed August 10, 1925, Serial No. 49,860. Renewed Iaimary 8, 1986.

My invention relates to apparatus for producing a desired time dela in the operation of electrical apparatus suc as relays, intermittent signals and the like. The object of the invention is to provide reliable, inexpensive, readily adjustable and accurate apparatus of this class.

In copending application Serial No. 49,359 filed concurrently herewith, I have described apparatus which emciated with a condenser for storing energy in such a manner that when a pre etermmed amount of energy has been accumulated it is discharged through the glow tube to produce a measuring indication. I have discovered that the same principle may be employed to produce intermittent signals and time delay relay operations having a wide variety of applications.

The features of my invention which are,

believed to be novel and patentable will be pointed out in the claims appended hereto. Several modifications of the apparatus will be described in connection with the accompanying drawin which illustrates the use of the invention or operating flashing lamps, or the same scheme may be used as a relay which operates after being energized for a 'Referring to the drawing, 10 represents a glow tube. It is shunted by a variable condenser 11. The glow tube and condenser are connected in the plate circuit of an electron device 12 and the apparatus is supa source 17 which may be an ordinary direct or alternating current circuit of 110 volts. This source may be of sufiicient voltage to cause the glow tube 10 to flash. 13,

plied from 14 and 15 represent the filament, grid and plate of-the device 12, and the filament is heated by the usual battery 16.

When the switchat 18 is closed, the device 12 will, when properly adj ted, produce a is constant current discharge from the plate 15.

This will first charge the condenser 11 up to a potential corresponding to the flashing voltage of glow tube 10. The tube will flash and dischar e the condenser. The rate of %e timed by adjusting the variable condenser 11. Thus if the capacity is increased, it will take that much longer for it to build up to the sparking voltage of the glow tube. 4 The glow tube 10 may constitute a signal or lamp flashin device in itself or the discharge current EI'OIII the condenser may operate a relay '19 to close the circuit of lamps 20, or both the device 10 and lamp shown at 20 may constitute light signals.

It will be understood that the relativel small charging current of the condenser wi 1 be insufii'cient to operate the relay 19, but the sudden discharge current will be ample for I this purpose.

The same arrangement may be used as a time delay for relay 19, since it is evident that the relay 19 will operate a predetermined adjustable time after switch 18 is .closed. The switch 18 may be closed manually or by any other agency.

In accordance with the patent statutes, of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment theieof; but .I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: p

1. An electric timing device comprising a provisions of the glow tube and a condenser connected in par-- allel, a source of supply having a voltage in excess of the sparking volt-age of said glow tube, and means for charging said condenser from said source at a substantially constant rate.

I have described the principle 2. An electric timing device comprising a glow tube and a variable condenser connected in parallel, a source of supply having a potential in excess of the sparking potential of said glow tube, and means for chargingsaid condenser from said source at a'sub charging said condenser from said source at a substantially constant rate below that necessary to operate the relay up to the sparking potential of said glow tube, said relay being operable by the discharge current of said condenser.

4. An electric timing device for relays comprising a glow tube and a condenser connected in parallel, a source of supply having a potential in excess of the sparking voltage of said gl'ow tube. a relay included in the circuit of said condenser. means for charging said condenser at a substantially constant rate below that necessary to operate the relay,

said relay being operable by the discharge current of said condenser, and means for varying the time required for said condenser to become charged to the sparking potential of said glow tube.

5. An electric timing device omprising a glow tube and a condenser connected in parallel. a source of supply having .a potential in excess of the sparking potential of said glow tube, an electron discharge device for continuously charging said condenser from said source, and means for varying the time required for said condenser to become charged to the sparking potential of said glow tube.

6. An electric timing device for relays comprising a glow tube and a condenser connected in parallel, an electron discharge device for charging said condenser, said electron discharge device and glow tube being connected across a source of supply having a voltage in excess of the sparking voltage of said glow tube, a relay connected in the circuit of said condenser, said relay being operable by the discharge current of said condenser but not by the charging current.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of August, 1925.

ERNEST E. CHARLTON. 

